2026 Dubai World Cup Odds - Forever Young dominates Meydan betting again

Jon Vine

Editor

Last updated: Wed 25 Mar 2026 11:12

Jon Vine 25 Mar 2026

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Latest odds and betting for the 2026 Dubai World Cup
This Grade One takes place at Meydan on Saturday 28th March
Forever Young is already the 1/3 favourite

Ryusei Sakai #5 wins the Breeders' Cup Classic race aboard Forever Young on day two of the 2025 Breeders' Cup. (Getty)

The Meydan World Cup Carnival draws to a close with a sensational card next Saturday. Five Grade One races will take place at Meydan, including the namesake race of the entire carnival, the Dubai World Cup, which has been won by many famous dirt horses down the years.

Here's the latest Dubai World Cup betting and a look through the most likely runners.

2026 Dubai World Cup Odds

Name	Odds
Forever Young	1/3
Meydaan	4/1
Nysos	6/1
Imperial Emperor	6/1
Magnitude	7/1
Hit Show	9/1
Bar	12/1

2026 Dubai World Cup Entries

The overwhelming favourite to win this year's Dubai World Cup is Forever Young, who successfully defended his Saudi Cup crown last month. Yoshito Yahagi's Japanese superstar carried a short price into last year's Dubai World Cup too, but could only finish third behind surprise winner, Hit Show.

Sitting second in the betting is Simon & Ed Crisford's Meydaan, who romped to victory on his dirt debut in the Al Maktoum Classic on Super Saturday. Nysos pushed Forever Young hard when the two met in the Saudi Cup, and Bob Baffert's five-year-old looks to be the leading US hope.

Hit Show has won a couple of smaller events since his shock triumph at Meydan 12 months ago, and returns to defend his crown on the back of a tune-up victory at Fair Grounds. Imperial Emperor made his breakthrough at Group One level when landing the Al Maktoum Challenge. Steve Asmussen could run Magnitude, following his runaway triumph in the Razorback Handicap.

Former winner Laurel River does feature in the betting, but he hasn't been seen since January of last year. Journalism and Romantic Warrior are famous names in the betting too, despite neither being confirmed in the contest. Likely runners include the first two from last month's Pegasus World Cup, Skippylongstockings and White Abarrio, another US raider in Tumbarumba, and last year's runner-up, Mixto.

Dubai World Cup 2026 FAQs

What is the Dubai World Cup?

The Dubai World Cup is a lucrative horse race staged in Dubai in the spring. The Dubai World Cup is the feature race of the Dubai World Cup carnival, held at Meydan throughout the year. This Grade One is run on a dirt surface over a distance of 2000m.

When is the 2026 Dubai World Cup?

The Dubai World Cup will be run at Meydan on Saturday, 28th March in 2026.

What is the Dubai World Cup worth?

The Dubai World Cup is one of the richest races in all of flat racing. In 2026, a prize pot of over $12m will be shared amongst the runners in the Dubai World Cup, with the winner receiving a first prize of $7.3m.

Verdict

2025 Dubai World Cup Favourite:

Forever Young

2025 Dubai World Cup Favourite

@1/3 - 5 Units

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